http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKD52n27Ogg
Mandy Nolan
Our local Soul Sister the beautiful Ms Lisa Hunt has all her bags packed and will be leaving on a big jet plane any day now for the northern summer. Lisa has 15 gigs already booked in Italy and a new EP, The Show Stops Here to promote and a couple of studio collaborations to fulfill including European rock icon Gottard’s new album.
If you didn’t already know Lisa has performed with some of the greatest names in showbiz from James Brown to Pavarotti; Aussie icons Jimmy Barnes, Diesel, Tina Arena and even Midnight Oil. Lisa was the winner of Australian Idol’s My Mom Rocks contest for NSW.
Lisa tell me how a North Coast girl comes to have 15 gigs in Italy?
History… before I was a north coast girl I had a whole other life as the right-hand singing woman for an Italian superstar named Zucchero. I guess I would qualify as a minor celebrity over there. Most people have seen me on TV and in concerts, so there’s always been an open door.
How important is it for you to maintain your international profile?
It’s important to me both personally and professionally. I love seeing what else is going on in the world musically; but also keeping in touch with friends and family all over the globe. It makes me feel whole and connected.
What do you get out of performing overseas?
Flavour! The Italians are quite an emotional and excitable group; most of the shows are open air concerts in places of outstanding beauty. I ride trains and gypsy around with no fixed address for a couple of months and I feel free as a bird.
How do audiences in Europe react to your soul shows?
Really well, though it’s usually more of a concert vibe there, whereas here it’s a Soul party. I dig it all.
Tell me a little about the studio collaborations?
There are backing vocals to record for the rock band Gotthard’s new album and I’ll be doing a couple of Eurotrash Club tracks with Soul Project.
You have a real tight outfit here, is it a challenge to hit the stage with new players OS?
I’ve been going over for a while so the musos there know my stuff; they also bring a certain dramatic flair to the sets as well. They aren’t as comfortable jamming so I love getting them to have more swing with unexpected solos and form changes.
What should we expect for your Bangalow show?
I love playing locally and giving people the various kinds of nights out they want whether it’s the pub or nightclub; for me, giving a world-class performance with great musicians and great songs is my only aim.
So with less then a handful of performances left, do come out for the last Bangalow party of the season, chock full of Motown, Soul, Funk and Disco. Dance the night away or sit back, watch and listen; either way you will be transformed by the voice that the critics have called ‘A true force of nature’. Fausto Pirito (Russia) and ‘A voice that deserves to be heard in her own right’ Billboard magazine (USA). You may want to grab her new EP to tie you over till Australia’s Queen of Soul returns.
Saturday at the Bangalow Bowling Club. Doors 7.30pm. Show 8pm. Tix: $20 (+bf) pre / $25 door, avail www.kupromotions.com.au and from the venue.
